Donald Sternoff Beyer Jr., a Democrat, has been representing Virginia’s 8th Congressional District in Congress since 2015. His district covers Arlington County, the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church, and some parts of Fairfax County, making it a key area in Northern Virginia.
In the 2024 general election, Beyer secured re-election by defeating Republican nominee Jerry Torres. He received 71.5% of the vote, while Torres garnered 24.7%
Career Path to Congress
- Education and Early Career: Beyer graduated from Williams College with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
- Business Ventures: He is the owner of automobile dealerships, which have been a significant part of his professional life.
Political Career:
Lieutenant Governor of Virginia: Beyer served as Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor from 1990 to 1998.
Ambassador: From 2009 to 2013, he was the U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Congressional Service: In 2014, Beyer announced his candidacy for Virginia’s 8th Congressional District and won the Democratic primary with 45.7% of the vote. He subsequently won the general election and has been serving in Congress since January 3, 2015.
Sponsored Bills
Beyer has actively sponsored legislation focused on police reform. He authored the Cost of Police Misconduct Act, which proposes the creation of a publicly accessible federal database for tracking police misconduct allegations and settlements.
Votes and Stances on Major Social Issues
- Abortion and Reproductive Rights: Beyer does not support the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
- LGBTQ+ Issues: He is a member of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, indicating his support for LGBTQ+ rights.
- Immigration: Beyer has been an advocate for immigrants, emphasizing the importance of immigration reform.
Votes and Stances on Major Economic Issues
- Tax Policy: As a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, Beyer has been involved in discussions and decisions related to tax legislation.
- Healthcare: He is a member of the Medicare for All Caucus, indicating support for expanding healthcare coverage.
- Labor Rights: Beyer has shown support for labor rights through his legislative actions and affiliations.
Demographic Data of Virginia’s 8th Congressional District
Population: Approximately 779,000
Median Age: 37
Median household Income: $125,652.
Race: The racial composition was:
- 50.8% White (Non-Hispanic)
- 13.1% Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
- 11.7% Asian (Non-Hispanic)
- 7.07% Other (Hispanic)
- 6.3% White (Hispanic).
Additionally, 35% of households reported speaking a non-English language at home, and 87.3% of residents are U.S. citizens.
Controversial Statements
Beyer has been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump. In April 2017, he was the first lawmaker to call for the revocation of Jared Kushner’s security clearance after it was revealed that Kushner had omitted numerous contacts with foreign nationals from his security clearance application.